Zoe Yadira Saldaña Nazario, currently Zoe Saldana-Perego, professionally known as Zoe Saldana is a famous American actress and dancer best known for her portrayal of Neytiri in James Cameron’s blockbuster sci-fi film Avataar in 2009. Saldana started her career with ‘Faces’; a theatre group and debuted on television in 1999 appearing in a ‘Law & Order’ episode. She made her film debut with the 2000 film ‘Center Stage’ in which she essayed the role of a struggling ballet dancer.
Saldana received critical and commercial acclaim for her work in ‘Avataar’, which remains the most successful film of her career till date while also being 2009’s highest grossing film. She also appeared in Star Trek in the same year, portraying the character of Nyota Uhura, which was once again an important role of her career. Some of Saldana’s popular films include ‘Colombiana’ in 2011, ‘Out of the Furnace’ in 2013, ‘Star Trek Beyond’ and ‘Live By Night’ in 2016. Additionally, Saldanha is known for portraying ‘Gamora’ for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, making her first appearance in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ in 2014.
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Early Life and Education
Saldana was born on 19 June 1978 in Passiac, New Jersey to Arido Saldanha of Haitan and Dominican descent and Puerto Rican Asalia Nazario and was raised in Jackson Heights New York in her early childhood. She also claims to have Lebanese roots. Saldana lost her father in a car accident when she was 9 and was then raised at her grandparents’ home in Dominican Republic, along with her siblings; sisters Cisely and Mariel. She also has a half-brother named Nipo.
While in Dominican Republic, Saldana enrolled at ECOS Espacio de Danza Academy; studying various dance forms. After she completed her high school Sophomore year, the family moved back to New York and in 1995, Saldana joined the teen theatre group ‘Faces’ while also performing with the New York Youth Theater concurrently. It was it this time that she was spotted by a talent agent and she subsequently debuted in 2000 with ‘Center Stage’.
Career Rise
Saldana made her television debut in 1999, appearing in an episode of ‘Law & Order’ and won her first film ‘Center Stage’ in 2000, in which she portrayed the character of ‘Eva Rodriguez’, a talented ballet dancer. Her next few appearances were in the films ‘Crossroads’ and ‘Drumline’. Saldana then appeared in the 2003 blockbuster ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl’ portraying Anamaria. She appeared in three films in 2004, namely ‘Haven’, ‘The Terminal’ and ‘Temptation’.
The year 2009 proved to be the highest point in her career with Saldana receiving roles in two big films; ‘Star Trek’ and James Cameron’s blockbuster sci-fi project ‘Avatar’ for which she received critical and commercial acclaim. Her other popular films in the following years include ‘The Losers’, ‘Takers’, ‘Burning Palms’ and ‘Death at a Funeral’, ‘Columbiana’, ‘The Heart Specialist’, ‘The Words’, ‘Out of the Furnace’, ‘The Book of Life’ and ‘Nina’. She also reprised her role as Nyota Uhura in ‘Star Trek Into Darkness’ and ‘Star Trek Beyond’ in 2013 and 2016 Since 2014, Saldana has been playing ‘Gamora’ in Marvel Universe, making her first appearance in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ and is set to reprise her role in ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ in 2018.
Personal Life
Saldana dated her boyfriend actor and CEO of My Fashion Debate, Keith Britton for several years before getting engaged to him in 2010 but split up in 2011 after 11 years of togetherness. She then started dating Marco Perego, an Italian artist in March 2013 and married him three months later, in June in a secret ceremony in London. Perago opted to adopt Saldana’s last name after their marriage, thus becoming Marco Perego-Saldana, with Saldana also taking his name, becoming Zoe Saldana-Perego.
Together they have three sons, twin boys Bowie and Cy and Zen born in 2014 and 2017 respectively. Saldana, who was diagnosed with the autoimmune disease Hashimoto’s thyroiditis adheres to a dairy and gluten free diet.
Zoe Saldana – Net Worth
Saldana has an estimated net worth of approximately $20 Million.
